FOLLOWING a resounding away win over a weakened Avon County, in November, the Cornwall Youth Badminton Under-13 Team, sponsored by Dairy Crest Davidstow, producers of Cornish Cathedral City Cheese, came back down to earth, when they entertained Devon - going down by 24 rubbers to 12, in the South West Counties Junior Badminton League Fixture.
In an absorbing encounter, played at Truro School, on December 18, the experience of the Visiting Outfit shone through, with the Devon cream seen to rise to the top, writes John Tresidder, with Kerry Sillifant.
The Visitors’ selected a very strong contingent of Boys, especially but their Cornish opponents went down, pluckily, in all the six rubbers. Truro’s Tim Wyatt, went the closest, before losing, 22-20, 15-21, 23-21.
The Host’s Girls fared much better, harvesting 4/6 singles rubbers, with their Polly Morris and Flossie Cameron-Webb, both securing victories in a deciding third end of play.
Therefore, Devon led 8-4, following the opening singles events, which are always seen to be of a paramount importance, psychologically.
The Boys’ Doubles rubbers saw the Tyler Sillifant/Ollie Cavil partnership winning the Duchy’s sole match - against the Devon number thee pair, with Devon securing five rubbers out of six and remaining dominant throughout.
However, the Danny Alford/Charlie Newman partnership were seen to go to three exciting games against the Visitors No, 3 team, before going down, narrowly, 21-19, 18-21, 21-18.
Duchy Girls fared better:
In the Girls’ Doubles, Kernow fared much better, winning 6/9 rubbers, with strong performances from the Beth Rutter/Sarah Frost and Polly Morrris/Cara Thompson combinations, with Amy Polglase and Flossie Cameron-Webb, taking all of their matches in two straight ends of play.
The Mixed Doubles Events, which acted as the culmination, saw the Devon Boys’ strength and experience coming to the fore, once more, to help win five events, with the Duchy’s Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase picking up the number one mixed in three games.
Congratulations are due to Sam Tucker, who gained his first Cornwall County cap.
Finally, the Cornwall Under-13’s hope to return to winning ways, when they take on Somerset, at Truro School, on Sunday, January 29, starting at 12.00 noon.
Team co-captains: Tyler Sillifant and Amy Polglase.
Team co-managers: Kerry Sillifant and John Polglase.
Amy and Kellen, aged 12 and 13, respectively, making debut appearances in Under-21 Badminton Champs:
MEANWHILE, the Cornwall Under-21 Badminton Championships, 2011/2012, are being staged at the Tregorrick Parc, St. Austell Rugby Club Sports Hall - tomorrow (Monday, January 2).
Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, five disciplines, in total, are on the full programme-of-play, which gets underway at 9.00 am, with supporters and spectators being most welcome, as usual.
Johanna Philp, aged 18, a Midwifery student at Truro College and Ross Lashbrook - who turn out for the Cornwall Chiefs - will be defending their blue ribband singles titles.
Camborne Science College badminton stars, Amy Polglase and Kellen Moore, aged 12 and 13, respectively, coached by Clif Morcom (Redruth), are both making debut appearances in the Championships.
After playing their beloved sport for two years, only, this U-21 Event will prove invaluable in the Girls' remarkable development, including for Miss Polglase installed recently, as the BADMINTON England No 8, in Girls' Under-13 Singles.
